Source as a verb

Question

I'm looking for the best way to translate 'source' in the context 'we source our coffee...'

wordreference.com suggests sacar or conseguir, neither of which I like much...

Suggestions from those fluent in Colombian Spanish would be apprecitated - we all know how some words and phrases from one country sound out of place in others.

I don't think we have any Colombian native speakers active on the forum. - Jubilado, Sep 11, 2014

I do remember one guy on here from Bogota but then I've not been active here for a long while... - afowen, Sep 12, 2014

Answer 1

It's helpful to keep in mind that "to source" in English is simply a buzzword for "to buy" or "to obtain." The question is, what word do Spanish businesses employ in such a context? For some ideas, I tried looking at the Starbucks website in both Spanish and English. Neither version appears to be an exact translation of the other; but where the English page talks about "sourcing," the Spanish one says comprar. Take a look:

English: http://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/sourcing/coffee

Spanish: http://www.starbucks.es/responsibility/sourcing/coffee

So I think you'd be safe simply saying, Compramos nuestro café ... But it would be interesting to hear input from people more involved in Spanish-language business or marketing.

+1 for providing links. Great answer. - Helado_eclectico, Sep 11, 2014

You can make your links active if you use the little globe with and arrow (hyperlink) and paste in the website. - Jubilado, Sep 11, 2014

Thanks Jubilado! I noticed that after I posted it, but didn't want to screw it up while editing it... - JDB1920, Sep 11, 2014

Answer 2

I think Helado is on the right track but you could simply use ' buscar'
Buscamos el mejor chocolate/café ...

Good idea, although buscar would possibly not cover all possible uses of source (since AFAIK buscar means find out/search out). - Helado_eclectico, Sep 11, 2014

Answer 3

I've seen this translated as 'conseguir/adquirir' (something like "Consiguemos/Adquiremos nuestro cafe de..."), and Linguee suggests a rewording somewhat like "Nuestro café procede de...". I haven't a bug's ear of an idea how it is said in Columbian Spanish, of course.

Yes, procede de sounds good to me. - annierats, Sep 11, 2014